These Are The 10 Best Playoff Series In NBA History

The NBA Playoffs sometimes feel never-ending, simply due to the nature of the two-month period in which they take place. With that in mind, there are often some wildly unsatisfying series and, while many of them take place almost exclusively on NBA TV, basketball fans need to reminded of why they invest on a nightly basis from mid-April through mid-June.

In short, the payoff is real and it is amazing. When things are exceptional within the confines of a great NBA series, it is electric and awe-inspiring. Individual greatness is rewarded on the highest stage, super-teams come together or pull apart in glorious fashion and the drama is on a level that cannot be duplicated by just about anything in the entertainment venue.

Over the last several decades, many such series have taken place and, frankly, it is very difficult to rank the best of the best. To that end, we have done just that and, in the process, likely inspired some sort of backlash from fans of particular teams and eras. That is part of what makes sports incredible and, without further ado, let’s roll through the ten best series in the history of the NBA.

No one will give it credit because they were 1st Round series, but Bulls/Celtics in 2009 and Warriors/Mavericks in 07 were both terrific.

Especially Bulls/Celtics. 5 games decided by 3 or fewer points, 4 games went to OT, with one going to double and another to triple OT. The Rondo/Kirk fight, Ray Allen’s 51 point game, Rose’s block in Game 6. Amazing series.

That was a great series. The year the Lakers finally got over. For the Blazers – Stoudamire and Steve Smith were all over the place. Pippen was trying to get in everyone’s head. Brian Grant, Sabonis and ‘sheed making Shaq work for his points. That moment where Grant got so frustrated he ripped the bandage off his head was great.

Then the Finals came around vs. a Pacers team that would have been amazing if it was 5 years earlier (Reggie, Rik Smits, Mark Jackson and Jalen Rose and only one of the Davis’ was left. Chris Mullin was a bench-warmer by then)

It doesn’t feel like recency bias. It is recency bias. Last year’s Finals was not the best playoff series in NBA history. The Spurs-Heat 2013 Finals was probably better, and while it was a long time ago and I don’t have the research to back me up, I remember the Raptors-Sixers second round series in 2001 (the year Philly got the the Finals) being highly entertaining. And no Heat-Knicks series from the late 90s cracked the list? For shame.

I didn’t think you guys could hug LeBron’s nuts any harder but here it is. I’m sure Cleveland fans thought it was the best series ever but it wasn’t very exciting for the rest of us since “individual games were not as closely contested”. That’s kind of a big deal when you’re talking about the best series EVER! smh

No mention of the late 3 by Samaki walker before the half that was late huh? That 02 series has Vega$ written all over it! I posted this before and will again 98 ECF Bulls vs Pacers! Took them to the brink of 7games, I still fear/respect that team. Shocked that 81 ECF isn’t first, NBA tv needs to air it every year!